Annual Reviews

 

(Please also see Chapter 9 of SEN Code of Practice)

All pupils with an EHC Plan must have their Education, Health and Care Plan reviewed annually and this must be completed by the anniversary of the original plan being finalised or the date of the last annual review. In order for this to happen Annual Review meetings should take place approximately two months prior to this date. This is the responsibility of the Head Teacher, but it is usually delegated to the SENCO.

The LA will inform the school of all learners needing an annual review during the following term.

There may be occasions where an additional EHC Review is required. These are detailed further in the Annual Review Guidance Document (Hyperlink) Prof Area Templates EHC Annual reviews (mylocaloffer.org)  and here: Additional EHC Reviews

The annual review should aim to: 

  • Assess the child’s progress towards targets set out in the EHCP 
  • Review the needs of the child and ensure that special provision made for the pupil is reported accurately 
  • Consider the appropriateness of the EHCP in light of performance during the year 
  • Set new targets for the following key stage where appropriate 
  • Where possible it should be aligned with any other statutory reviews the child or young person is subject to (CLA, Continuing Care, CiN etc.) to better enable joined up planning and to minimise the number of review meetings that families have to attend. 

The SENCO (supported by admin support where available) will need to:  

  • Arrange the meeting: set the date, time and place (this should be done in collaboration with parents to enable their attendance) (at least 6 weeks beforehand to give adequate notice to invited agencies) 
  • Invite appropriate personnel including: 

- A representative of the LA SEND Team 

- The pupil’s parents or carers (with permission of the young person if over16) 

- The pupil or Young Person 

- A representative from social care 

- A representative from health 

- Relevant teachers and support staff 

- Relevant outside agency professionals 

  • Ask for written reports to be sent to them, at least two weeks before the meeting  
  • Collect relevant assessment and progress information about the pupil. 
  • Prepared reports, a copy of the annual review document and the current EHCP must be shared 2 weeks in advance of the meeting with those who have been invited to the meeting. 
  • Prepare the written report and Annual Review form, which is available electronically 

Significant Changes 

If any significant change is anticipated, schools must notify the SEND Caseworker from the SEND Assessment and Review Team.   

If any significant change of needs or provision is being considered schools may wish to request the advice of the school’s designated Educational Psychologist; please see the memo below for more information and a proforma which can be sent to Hull City Psychological Service for this purpose. 

Requesting EPs involvement in ARs.docx 

Checklist for determining EP involvement.docx 

 

Annual Review Documentation and more detailed guidance for completing this can be found here: Prof Area Templates EHC Annual reviews (mylocaloffer.org) 

 
Conduct of the Review Meeting 

Although invitations are sent the review should go ahead even if only school personnel are available, unless there is sufficient time to rearrange the meeting and still meet the statutory time scales. 

The Annual Review form acts as a guide to ensure that all relevant questions are answered. It is good practice to review the information detailed in any preprepared reports first.  

Submitting the Report 

  • The report should be written as soon after the meeting as possible  
  • All reports should be collected along with the Annual Review form 
  • Copy and send the report to all concerned in the review. 
  • Annual Review documentation should be uploaded for the SEND team either via the EDT (Electronic Data Transfer) Secure Portal (EDT User Guide) or emailed by SFX (speak to the LA SEND Team if you are unsure how to set this up). 

The full report and supporting documentation Must be sent to the SEND Team Assessment and Review Team within 2 weeks of the Review Meeting.   

After Submission of the Report 

The SEND Assessment and Review Team will review the recommendations and the EHCP in light of the information. The LA will decide whether to amend, maintain the EHCP unchanged or cease to maintain the EHCP.  

The SEND Assessment and Review Team will notify the parents and headteacher of their decision within 2 weeks of receiving the documentation and 4 weeks of the EHC Review Meeting.  

 

REMEMBER if you are unclear on any stage of the statutory process advice can be sought from the LA SEND Team or any of the personnel connected with this guide.